NHL Cancels Games Through November

NEW YORK (AP) - The NHL has canceled all its games through the end of November because of the labor dispute between owners and players.

The league made the announcement on Friday in a brief statement by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

"The National Hockey League deeply regrets having to take this
action. By presenting a proposal to the NHLPA that contemplated a fair division of revenues and was responsive to Player concerns regarding the value of their contracts, we had hoped to be able to forge a long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement that would have preserved an 82-game Regular Season for our fans. Unfortunately, that did not occur.

"We acknowledge and accept that there is joint responsibility in
collective bargaining and, though we are profoundly disappointed that a new agreement has not been attained to this point, we remain committed to achieving an agreement that is fair for the Players and the Clubs -- one that will be good for the game and our fans."

It said that a total of 326 regular-season games, more than 26.5 percent of the season, were scheduled for Oct. 11 through Nov. 30.

The Buffalo Sabres will offer two options to season ticket holders and mini pack holders who have purchased tickets for the 2012-13.

Option 1: At the end of each month, the Sabres will refund any games that are cancelled by the NHL. For example, on Dec. 1, the Sabres will refund all regular-season games that were cancelled by the NHL in the month of November. The refund process will be communicated to our season-ticket holders and mini pack ticket-holders (via email and/or mail) if and when games have been cancelled by the NHL.

Option 2: The Sabres will offer season-ticket holders and mini pack ticket-holders 4% simple interest per annum on the value of the games that are cancelled by the NHL.

Ticket holders will be able to choose which option they would prefer.

Fans that have purchased individual game tickets will be automatically credited for all games that have been cancelled.